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<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3><STRONG>Now is the time to
prepare for oil-scarce future</HEADLINE></STRONG></FONT></FONT>
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<DIV class=articleDetails><DATE><FONT face=Arial>April 21, 2006 </FONT></DIV><!--articleDetails-->
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<P><FONT face=Arial>Oil prices break another record and Melburnians are
squeezing onto our over-stretched public transport system or driving away from
petrol stations without paying (<EM>The Age</EM>, 20/4). Within a few years, we
will reach the peak of oil production and be faced thereafter with shrinking
supplies. This will raise fuel prices even higher.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial>A study by Griffith University academics showed that
Melbourne was more vulnerable to high oil prices than other Australian cities.
Those most at risk are in the less-well-off suburbs on the city's fringes, far
from accessible public transport. They are more dependent on cars and have
further to travel to access facilities and services than their inner-city
counterparts.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial>If those in the outer suburbs and regional Victoria are to
avoid becoming the collateral damage of an oil-scarce future, then we need to
reduce our dependence on oil. We need to ensure all Victorians have real public
transport options, and we need to encourage more fuel-efficient vehicles instead
of subsidising four-wheel-drives with tax breaks. Alternative fuels may be
available in the future but, in the short term, conservation and efficiency will
bring the greatest gains.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial>This is a challenge for governments investing in our
infrastructure but also for individuals making choices about where to live and
work, what transport to use and what car to drive. It will be easier and cheaper
if we make changes now, rather than waiting until runaway oil prices force
change upon us.<BR><SMALL><B><FONT size=2>Sherry Mayo, Australian Association
for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas, Notting
Hill</FONT></B></SMALL></FONT></P></DIV><A
href="mailto:jgoldie@snowy.net.au"></A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>